Itinerary in glance:

• Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp
• Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp
• Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
• Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
• Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi/Arusha

 

Route description:

For those who wish to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. The Machame route exposes the climber to higher Heights quicker (day three) which kick-start the body's adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging Height gains and losses. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high Height, with only 4-6 hours of sleep.

Full Itinerary:

Arrival Day

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha/Moshi town for your overnight. (Airport transfer and accommodation will be on your own account)

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Height (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
• Distance: 11 km
• Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitation: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi/Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate passing through the village of Machame which is located on the base of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Height (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Climbing Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitation: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge, overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Height (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Climbing Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitation: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same Height as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Height (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
• Distance: 9km
• Climbing Time: 8-10 hours
• Habitation: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

• Height (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Climbing Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitation: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha

• Height (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitation: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your certificates. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Park Gate to drive you back to hotel in Moshi/Arusha.

Costing Includes:

• Transport to and from mountain gates.
• All parks entry fees.
• All camping fees.
• Rescue fees.
• Guide and porters fees.
• Guide and porters salaries.
• All accommodations on the mountain based on three meals a day.
• Cook and all kitchen utensils.

Costing Excludes:

• International and local flights
• Accommodation before climb and last day after climb book with us.
• Airport transfers book with us.
• Tips, drinks and all items of personal nature
• Hard and soft drinks and tips
• Sleeping bags but we can provide for hire on request.
• All Mountain Gears (we can arrange hire of these)